Which medication is used to treat acute asthma?

Which medication is used to treat acute asthma?

• A. Lisinopril
• B. Albuterol
• C. Metformin
• D. Amlodipine

Answer: (B)

Acute asthma is treated first with a fast-acting bronchodilator to quickly relieve bronchospasm and improve airflow. Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist that acts on receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, causing rapid bronchodilation within minutes. This inhaled rescue medication reduces wheezing, shortness of breath, and the work of breathing, helping to restore normal ventilation during an acute attack. While it provides quick relief, it’s typically used as needed for symptoms or before anticipated exercise, not as the sole long-term control therapy. The other medications listed don’t address bronchospasm: one is an ACE inhibitor used for hypertension, another is an antidiabetic agent, and the last is a calcium channel blocker—none of which provide the rapid bronchodilation needed for an acute asthma episode.

Acute asthma is treated first with a fast-acting bronchodilator to quickly relieve bronchospasm and improve airflow. Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist that acts on receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, causing rapid bronchodilation within minutes. This inhaled rescue medication reduces wheezing, shortness of breath, and the work of breathing, helping to restore normal ventilation during an acute attack. While it provides quick relief, it’s typically used as needed for symptoms or before anticipated exercise, not as the sole long-term control therapy. The other medications listed don’t address bronchospasm: one is an ACE inhibitor used for hypertension, another is an antidiabetic agent, and the last is a calcium channel blocker—none of which provide the rapid bronchodilation needed for an acute asthma episode.